posted at 8:49 pm on August 9, 2012 by Allahpundit

Obligatory caveat: Maybe he is. No one knows except for Romney’s inner circle. But all of the rumors lately have to do with Portman, Pawlenty, and Ryan, with Rubio and Christie unlikely dark horse possibilities. Jindal’s name seems to have disappeared — even though he’s probably the one guy out there more than any other who would satisfy virtually everyone in the Republican galaxy. As Matt Lewis put it:

To repeat: Bobby Jindal is the safest pick that is exciting, and the most exciting pick that is safe.

T-Paw is “meh,” Portman is a Bush guy, Ryan is an invitation to Mediscaring — but what’s Jindal’s big liability? He’s smart as a whip, respected by grassroots conservatives and righty intellectuals, has had plenty of executive experience, brings youth and racial/geographic diversity to the ticket, and on and on and on. The only arguments against him are that he endorsed Perry in the primary, gave a flat response to the State of the Union a few years ago, and once wrote about an exorcism he witnessed decades ago. So what? It wouldn’t be that hard to spin the Perry endorsement: “It was a tough call between him and Mitt, whom I’ve always admired, but my personal friendship with Rick forced my hand. Now, however, I’m committed to helping Gov. Romney lead America back to prosperity.” Case closed. No one’s going to care about the SOTU response — if you want a guy who gives a good speech but can’t govern, there’s already an app for that — and the exorcism thing is so old, petty, and arcane that it’s just not going to get traction realistically. Something like that only hurts a candidate if it jibes somehow with his public persona, seeming to reveal some fundamental quirk in his character. This doesn’t do that. Jindal’s image is that of a consummate wonk, a technocrat blessed with unusual brain power and an enviable grasp of policy. He’s simply not going to be easily demagogued as a wild-eyed religious radical, which of course would be the point of those attacks — although no doubt liberals will try anyway. (In a way, it’d be fitting if this dumb, petty campaign came down to an argument over exorcisms.) Worst-case scenario: Jindal’s forced to answer a few questions about it and gets to gently remind the media that we all do strange things sometimes during youth. Some of us witness an exorcism, others do cocaine. Bygones, etc.

I’m on the verge of talking myself into thinking that he should be the choice, but I’ll hold off on that if only because Portman could at least help deliver a crucial swing state. I’m not sure what Pawlenty, Ryan, or Jindal would deliver, despite their respective strengths. Here’s video of the man himself from the Red State Gathering held recently. Exit question: Why shouldn’t he be the pick? I’m sincerely interested in counterarguments.

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In any rational election year, I think Jindal is my hands down winner. BUT, this is our last chance to regain the country created by our Founding Fathers and, with that being said, we must deploy the best strategy to win–RUBIO–who can turn purple to red, is my pick. Again, Jindal best person to serve if something happens to Mitt, but that scenario is useless if Mitt doesn’t win.

Jindal is a natural. When he says something, to me it’s going to be solid. Obama, I rarely have a clue what he’s talking about. One day try to deconstruct one of his paragraphs. He doesn’t say anything.

Funny. I remember writing about the same exact thing in The Green Room not too long ago. Well, I guess great minds think alike (except I guess when it comes to God, gay marriage, and the St. Louis Cardinals).

I’ve supported Jindal as the best choice from the beginning–all upside, the down being inconsequential. The fact that libs like inthemiddle mindlessly dis him for not being a great Periclean orator like The Messiah gives him added credibility.

I like Jindal, and I’d be perfectly happy with him as a VP pick. But I’m not convinced he helps the ticket in an electoral sense, and that’s probably why he’s not on the short list. A governor from a southern state that’s already likely to be red isn’t going to help Romney win Ohio or Colorado, or flip Michigan.

He gave a yawn-worthy response to a State of the Union. B. F. D. I didn’t realize SOTU is so un-yawn-worthy in itself. It’s a speech given out of tradition that is 100% divided along party lines these days…

Those of us who live in Louisiana can tell you he does not have a documented resume of accomplishments. He’s done alot of talking and he has a great propaganda team behind him. But in my opinion he’s not ready. But neither was or is president O.

Exit question: Why shouldn’t he be the pick? I’m sincerely interested in counterarguments.

His SOTU response wasn’t a negative to me. That’s a really hard gig. He’s a Roman Catholic social conservative. They could get him on that, but I’m OK with him there, he’s not a Santorum who’s got a bit of being overmoralistic in him. He’s an ethnic Indian, and his skin is just as dark as Obama’s, and I don’t think anyone cares about skin color anymore. Despite how Obama brings up his skin color over and over again. Jindal is a nice contrast to the “obsessed about race” Obama.

Maybe Jindal has skeletons in his closet. I haven’t heard of any. Parents illegal immigrants?

(In a way, it’d be fitting if this dumb, petty campaign came down to an argument over exorcisms.) Worst-case scenario: Jindal’s forced to answer a few questions about it and gets to gently remind the media that we all do strange things sometimes during youth. Some of us witness an exorcism, others do cocaine.

Also, if Jindal is the pick, he would have to resign office in Louisiana immediately. Hurricane season approaches, and if the wind gusts above 40 miles an hour in New Orleans the national media will go into overdrive asking if Jindal is neglecting his official responsibilities by campaigning in Ohio during a potential emergency.

Those of us who live in Louisiana can tell you he does not have a documented resume of accomplishments. He’s done alot of talking and he has a great propaganda team behind him. But in my opinion he’s not ready. But neither was or is president O.

Sid on August 9, 2012 at 9:03 PM

He has gotten plenty of legislation through the legislature that just years ago wouldn’t have gotten through.

Also, if Jindal is the pick, he would have to resign office in Louisiana immediately. Hurricane season approaches, and if the wind gusts above 40 miles an hour in New Orleans the national media will go into overdrive asking if Jindal is neglecting his official responsibilities by campaigning in Ohio during a potential emergency.

Lawdawg86 on August 9, 2012 at 9:16 PM

This is completely wrong. Jindal has proven during the oil spill that he is amazing in crisis situations, particularly with the media.

Interesting. This would be the first time I can remember when the Republicans nominated two candidates, neither of whom had served in the military. Have any of the VP short-listers served in uniform? (Jindal hasn’t.)

I like Jindal, BTW. The word “exorcism” might explode all over the campaign if he’s the VP nominee, but one word or another is going to do that regardless of who the nominee is, so it really doesn’t matter.

I don’t get it either…Jindal is easily my top choice. The best option out of those mentioned. They must be thinking that Portman or Pawlenty can help deliver in the Midwest, but I think they’re sorely mistaken…neither will be of much help at all. Jindal will at least bring some of the base around, which couldn’t hurt.

If it’s not Jindal, I hope it’s Ryan. If it’s not either of them, I hope the choice isn’t Pawlenty or Portman.

No counter arguments from me. Jindal would be my pick in a heart beat. The issue for Romney. of course, is that Jindal is to the right of every position Romney takes, and Republicans will be pressing Jindal all term long to keep Romney honest throughout his term. That’s not a prescription for a healthy relationship between the two of them, and I wonder if the prospect of that sort of relationship will scare Romney off Jindal.

Let’s just say it, he is an unattractive man. Someone tie him down and give him a decent damn haircut that isn’t reminiscent of Adolf Hitler.

Yes he’s brilliant, and unlike the Jackass he actually earned and deserves his degrees. He could do the job in a heartbeat.

Re his citizenship, don’t EVER think that just because the democratics crushed those skeptical of little Bammie’s qualifications, that they won’t jump to the other side in a nanosecond. We’ll be fighting that battle all over again from the other side, and the old media will still be on the side of the democratics.

NEW YORK — Mitt Romney remained coy about his vice presidential pick on Thursday, but he offered a few hints.

“I certainly expect to have a person that has a strength of character, a vision for the country that adds something to the political discourse about the direction of the country”,
*********************************************************

Romney told NBC News’ Chuck Todd in an interview

that aired Thursday evening. “I happen to believe this is a defining election for America, that we’re going to be voting for what kind of America we’re going to have.”
(More..)